Polling for the Senate seat vacated after PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry’s disqualification is currently underway in the Punjab Assembly. Government-backed candidate Rana Sanaullah has emerged as the leading contender.
Ejaz Chaudhry lost his membership after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for involvement in the May 9, 2023 protests. The Election Commission formally ended his membership in July 2025, leading to the by-election.
The opposition had nominated Chaudhry’s wife, Salma Ijaz, for the seat. She was backed by 100 votes, including support from Sunni Ittehad Council, PTI, Tehreek-e-Labbaik, Muslim League Zia, and Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen. However, opposition leaders announced a boycott of the process, asking their members not to participate in polling.
Government alliance support
The ruling alliance, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Iqbal Pakistan Party, and PML-Q, has thrown its weight behind Rana Sanaullah. Combined, the bloc commands 263 votes, well above the 180 votes required to secure victory.
PML-N alone contributes 229 votes, while PPP adds 16, PML-Q 11, and Iqbal Pakistan Party 7. With such numbers, analysts believe Sanaullah’s win is almost certain.
Polling process details
According to the Election Commission, polling started at 9:00 am in the new Punjab Assembly building and will continue until 5:00 pm. Voting is supervised closely to ensure transparency.
The Assembly currently has 363 active members. Six PTI members have been disqualified, and two others are yet to take oath. By midday, 129 votes had been cast, with polling expected to conclude without disruption.
Despite the boycott, Salma Ijaz’s candidacy remains valid since the withdrawal deadline has already passed.
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